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Acute postpartum pulmonary edema in a 23-year-old woman 5 days after cesarean delivery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Caitlin Dunne  and
Antonio Meriano
Caitlin Dunne*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Antonio Meriano*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Windsor Regional Hospital, Windsor, Ont. Emergency Medicine, South Western Ontario Medical Education Network, Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont.
*
Emergency Department, Windsor Regional Hospital, 1995 Lens Ave., Windsor ON N8W 1L9; tmeriano@gmail.com
Emergency Department, Windsor Regional Hospital, 1995 Lens Ave., Windsor ON N8W 1L9; tmeriano@gmail.com

Abstract

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The presentation of acute dyspnea after pregnancy is rare, but should bring a number of important conditions to the mind of the attending physician. Pulmonary embolism, amniotic fluid embolism, pneumonia, aspiration and pulmonary edema are some of the potentially devastating causes that must be considered. The percentage of pregnancies that are complicated by acute pulmonary edema has been estimated to be 0.08%. The most common contributing factors include the administration of tocolytic agents, underlying cardiac disease, iatrogenic fluid overload and preeclampsia. No matter what the underlying pathology, prompt administration of appropriate resuscitation is always the first priority. Only after the patient has been stabilized can attention be turned to diagnosis and specific treatment. This case examines one such presentation and reviews some of the diagnostic possibilities.

Keywords

emergency medicinepulmonary edemaobstetric emergencies
Type
Case Report • Rapport de cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , March 2009 , pp. 178 - 181
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2009

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